Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2024
Made-for-Advertising inventory concerns
A study reported that advertising from multiple vendors, including Taboola, appeared on some “Made for Advertising” websites. Taboola subsequently expanded its use of third-party filtering intended to improve inventory quality and reduce exposure to undesirable placements.
2014
National Advertising Division disclosure review
The BBB’s National Advertising Division reviewed a complaint by competitor Congoo concerning the visibility and clarity of Taboola’s sponsored-content disclosures. It recommended that Taboola make the disclosures easier to notice, read, and understand, citing concerns relevant to Federal Trade Commission guidance on native advertising.
2010
Criticism of clickbait-style recommendation advertising
Taboola’s thumbnail recommendation units, like those of other native-advertising providers, attracted criticism for potentially sensational or click-oriented headlines and for appearing close to editorial recommendations. The criticism formed part of wider debate about the quality, transparency, and editorial effects of “chumbox” advertising.